The following paper describes functionality of navigation systems interfaces in the newly developed shiphandling simulator for the inland navigation (called InSim) at Maritime University of Szczecin. It is based on analysis of radar interface and conning touch screen that has been designed for the simulator

The paper presents basics of the eye tracking methodology and results of preliminary test on multi-purpose marine ship’s navigation bridge simulator. The use of the eye-tracker on the navigation bridge makes it possible to objectively measure the ergonomics of the individual interfaces, as well as to evaluate the decision-making process itself, including the mental workload and stress. In the experiment, officers were faced with an unexpected and sudden situation leading to a collision. The simulated situation required the officer to act immediately and resolutely, taking into account all his/her knowledge about the ship, and interpreting the available data correctly. Outcome of this test was compared with gaze data and it was proved that experienced group with best results suffered lowest level of mental workload and was most efficient in decision making process. Based on those results a possibility of improving simulator training with the use of eye tracking data is discusse

Short-term prediction is a tool that helps to manoeuvre inland units, allows assessing the effect of the planned manoeuvre and reduces the probability of collision. Model of ships hydrodynamics is required to perform this task. In the paper simple to implement solution based on a Nomoto model is proposed. Method of determi ning the parameters of the model was presented. Researches were carried out with use of INSim Inland Navigation Simulator

The following paper describes construction and functionality of the newly developed shiphandling simulator for the inland navigation (called InSim), that was constructed as a part of research project at Maritime University of Szczecin. Problems of construction process and simulator ergonomics were presented. Fidelity of the simulation with respect to real environment, as well as details of all subsystems were discussed.

This paper presents initial results from a series of eye-tracking experiments on a Full Mission Bridge simulator. The aim of this research was to develop a stochastic model of a navigator’s attention distribution during their navigational watch. Such model could be used as a tool for workload and usability studies for navigators and navigational equipment interfaces. A structure of the model is discussed together with the evaluation of Markov chains as a main modelling tool. Initial results are presented and discussed. It is suggested that 1st order Markov chains are not fully applicable for this problem. A combination of the 1st and higher-order Markov chains will be applied in the next stage of research.

The paper presents a review of ultrasonic sensors. Attention is focused on the possibility of using such sensors to keep an unmanned aerial vehicle at a constant altitude above the surface. Such a task requires filtered and unfiltered signals, so that the ground level can be distinguished even when obstacles are present. Three selected sensors were tested. The possibility of connecting these sensors to external devices was also studied. The potential of the individual sensors and of a set of sensors is discussed. The study showed that the best solution is to use a set of three ultrasonic sensors. Alternatively, a sensor with both unfiltered and filtered measurement was proved to be an adequate option.

This paper presents an original kinematic method for the assessment of the safe parameters of waterway bends. The proposed method has been based on the analysis of the results obtained through the use of the developed simulation model which allowed for the examination of all the physically available paths of a ship’s centre of gravity. The results of the simulation were divided into defined subsets that enabled the assessment of the safe parameters of waterway bends. This paper also presents the calculations that were carried out for the theoretical reference bend.

The following paper presents a novel method for approximating the fall trajectories of small, lightweight oil binders, used during oil spill clean-up operation at sea. Due to the weight, size and shape of the binders, the fall trajectory is highly dependent on the direction and strength of the wind, as well as the rotations and positions of individual binders when dropped. Since a large quantity of tightly packed binders are dropped at once, it is highly inconvenient to calculate the precise trajectory of each binder when its exact initial rotation and position inside the container are not known. The aim of this study is to predict the exact moment and position of the drop, as well as the oil binders’ spread, considering wind conditions, airplane velocity and height.

The article presents a simulation method for determining the minimum safe pull of tugs assisting in port manoeuvres. The method can be used to determine the relationship between the minimum safe pull, understood as the tension on the line, of the assisting tugs and the overall length, cargo capacity or net capacity of ships manoeuvring in a given port under allowable hydrometeorological conditions. The method was verified through simulated tests of gas tankers’ entry, turning and berthing at the LNG terminal of Świnoujście